Dear friends,

I know the word “sorority” brings some negative connotations with it. We grew up in a place where the only way we knew that these organizations existed were through news headlines and crazy college movies like Legally Blond, House Bunny, and Neighbors. With movies like this, crazy house parties, mixers, hazing, drinking, and sex are becoming a harmful stereotype. What seems to be forgotten are the positive truths and facts about joining a sorority.

Many of you have questioned my decision to join a sorority and Greek life, for these stereotypes are that sorority girls are “basic” party girls, only caring about their Lilly Pulitzer, Starbucks, and monograms. These stereotypes aren’t true, and aren’t harmless. Sororities and the Panhellenic community don’t live up to the promiscuous image the media portrays.

Across college campuses everywhere, there is a stigma attached to Greek life that’s hard to shake. Even visiting home during breaks, the questions I have received from all of you make it seem like I joined a cult, instead of something that is actually quite amazing. Joining one of these organizations means to join a group of independent, confident, and beautiful women who have bettered me as an individual.

When I tell someone that I’m in a sorority when I come home from school, I often get “that look”. I am a sister of an incredible organization, and I could not be more proud. It is time that we have a discussion about the unfair stereotype that is stamped across the letters that we sorority women proudly wear on their chests.

The media and public have completely misconstrued the idea of being in a sorority by demonizing sorority women instead of looking at what it actually means to be affiliated. People assume that we are careless and excessive partiers, and that we are blinded by only caring about the liquid filling the red Solo cups at fraternity parties. The reality is far different. When I pledged myself to my sorority, I was promising myself to the beautiful ideals that create my sisterhood.

“But, you are just paying for your friends.”

Yes, I do pay dues to be in a sorority. Like any organization, money is required to keep it running. In sororities, these dues often cover things like chapter operations such as philanthropy events and sisterhood activities. What it doesn’t cover are the friendships being in a sorority has given me.

This sisterhood is a special bond that I will have for the rest of my life. I get the opportunity to try, fail miserably, and I will have sisters that love me and encourage me to try again.

Stella George Stern Perry, one of the founders of Alpha Omicron Pi, said it best, “Of all the blessings we count over, it seems to me none is greater than the consciousness of belonging to a family of thousands of sisters.”

Being in a sisterhood has provided me with some of the best friends I’ve ever had. So, if I am “paying for my friends”, then I’m surely not paying enough.

“Sorority girls don’t actually care about school and academics.”

I understand that girls in sororities are depicted as being dumb bimbos who barely get by to receive their degrees. While it does make for some entertaining movies (guilty as charged, I love Legally Blonde and House Bunny too), there are academic requirements that come with being in a sorority. Not to mention, my sisters are some of the smartest girls I know, doing rigorous study abroad programs, challenging themselves with intense internships, and spending most weekends in at the library.

Did you know Greeks typically earn the highest GPA’s on collegiate campuses? Chapters require their members to maintain a minimum GPA in order to participate in events, take Little’s, or hold office positions. Members who are struggling or fall below the required GPA are offered additional study help and groups to help improve their academic performance.

“All sorority girls care about are the parties.”

On top of simple academic gain, being in a sorority can allow you to excel educationally outside of the classroom, and that doesn’t mean at frat houses.

From personal experience, being in a sorority helps you gain confidence, for you have to respectfully voice your opinion in a room full of a 100 plus women whose opinions varied from yours. Being in a sorority allows you opportunity to hold meaningful positions, represent your chapter on the Panhellenic Committee, and make a true difference around campus. Sororities encourage their members to participate in other clubs and groups.

“What work do you guys actually do to help your community?”

Contrary to what is published or seen, Greek members do incredible things for their university and local communities by providing community service, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for great causes, and often times are initiators for important causes within the community.

For example, on George Mason University’s campus alone, during George Mason’s Greek Week in 2015, the community donated over 24,000 cans, raised over $19,000 dollars to the Ronald McDonald House, and $9,500 to Habitat for Humanity, in a single week (George Mason Student Involvement).

This isn’t exclusive to just to Mason’s Greek community. My sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi, has nationally raised over $2 million dollars for the Arthritis and Juvenile Arthritis Foundation (Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation).

We spend weekend mornings at runs for various causes, and spend time contributing to other organizations philanthropic efforts.

As sorority members, we understand the impact we understand the positive impact can have, and strive to make a difference.

Greek women are strong, independent, intelligent, and the greatest friends you will make. Though there are many negative connotations of what it means to be a sorority woman, I am proud to be one, for I understand what it truly means to join one of these organizations.

I have not joined a cult, or a group of girls who just love to party. The truth about sororities doesn’t lie in dancing at fraternity parties. It never has, and never will. It lies in an unbreakable bond that dates back hundreds of years, with thousands of sisters from all walks of life coming together for the same reason; the incredible bond of sisterhood.

I know that the term sorority can seem a little off-putting, and it’s hard to understand from the outside. But just know, that these organizations truly can better people, myself included.

Love always,

Your Sorority Friend